New Commercial Units at Phase 1

Posted July 1, 2019

ARK ESTATES BEGINS WORK ON NEW INVERNESS AIRPORT BUSINESS PARK BASE FOR INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLES PLAYER

Aerial Image of IABP Phase 1 as taken by PDG Aviation Services.

Leading property investment and development company, ARK Estates, recently marked a major milestone in the development of Inverness Airport Business Park (IAPB) with the announcement that construction has commenced on the new 10,000sq.ft Scottish Distribution & Training Hub it is preparing for global wind energy company, ENERCON.

William Gray (ARK
Estates (Scotland) Managing Director), James Campbell (IABP Chairman) and Brian
Innes and Keith Duncan (from lead contractor, IBI Joiners) were on-site to
witness the early stages of construction for the new industrial unit at IAPB.
The 10,000 sq.ft unit, which is being built with the support of a €200,000 (up to £173,000)
grant from Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE), will comprise a 6,320sq.ft
warehouse and 4,080sq.ft office split over two floors and will serve as
ENERCON’s flagship’ Scottish
Distribution and Training Centre.

The German
renewables energy giant will employ 20 permanent staff at its IABP Scottish
Distribution & Training Hub with further recruitment and expansion
anticipated. The site will also become ENERCON’s main UK Training Centre. Over 200 technicians are expected to receive
training at the company’s new UK base in the first year alone.

Speaking at the
event, William Gray of ARK Estates said:

“We are
delighted to begin construction on ENERCON’s new Scottish flagship site. As with many of our other pre-let
industrial builds, this one will be tailored to meet the client’s needs,
providing them with a turn-key solution that we can hand over to them upon
completion.

“It’s
fantastic to see such a major international company choosing to locate to
Inverness Airport Business Park. With high levels of interest in the
development – and with the A96 scheduled for dualling and a new Airport Rail
link set to be built in the near future – ARK Estates is addressing demand by
also releasing to market a 5,000sq.ft unit at the business park with further units
to follow in due course,” concluded Gray.

ENERCON are
scheduled to move into their new state of the art Distribution & Training
Hub in early 2020. Julian Martin, Managing Director of ENERCON Services UK Ltd said:

“The
IABP site was selected as ENERCON’s preferred location for its new Distribution
and Training Centre after an extensive property market research in the
Inverness area. ARK Estates will provide a purpose built facility that will
meet ENERCON’s
current and future requirements with convenient UK and International travel
through Inverness Airport, national rail and road connections.”

Senior
Development Manager at HIE, Alistair McMillan said:

“HIE is
delighted to have been able to support this significant project. The
development will help to consolidate Inverness Airport Business Park as an
important hub for economic activity and growth in the area. Establishing a
flagship HQ for such a high-profile international renewables company at IABP,
will also help to grow an international business and create high quality jobs
and training opportunities in the energy sector.”

IABP Chairman, James Campbell, said:

“Today’s
announcement from ARK Estates marks another milestone in the growth of IABP and
reinforces the continued development we are witnessing. The momentum is really
starting to build and it is great to see a respected developer like ARK Estates
submit plans to deliver two new commercial units. They join The Co-operative
Group (Co-op) who recently opened their new distribution centre at IABP while
work also got underway in January 2019 on a new multi-million pound, 130-room
Courtyard by Marriott hotel to be located at the park.”

Brian Innes of
lead contractor, IBI Joiners Ltd, said:

“IBI Joiners
Ltd are delighted to be working with ARK Estates on this project and to be
involved in contributing to the continued growth of the Inverness Airport
Business Park.

“With
groundworks, foundations and steel works well underway within two weeks of
commencing on site we look forward to delivering this project on time with the
support of our local supply chain.”

Another
unit…

ARK Estates has
also recently commenced the development of a new 5,000sqft unit at IABP. The
industrial unit, which will be completed in Q4 2019, sits on a 0.5 acre plot
and is suitable for class 4,5 and 6 use. Interested parties are invited to
contact John MacBean at Graham + Sibbald for more information.

Kenny McKenzie for G+S said:

“Securing
the COOP and ENERCON at IABP shows demand for a new commercial area serving
Inverness and the Highlands. A planned development offering new, high quality
buildings in a strategic location brings a new offering to the commercial
market in the Highlands.

“The
speculative unit being developed at IABP by ARK Estates fills a void for new
flexible commercial accommodation. There is a lack of this type and style of
accommodation within Inverness and the surrounding area with the new unit
capable of accommodating a variety of potential occupiers.”